JCMcD’s BodyBlog

I was all excited about running today to play with the new Nike+/iPod toy, and decided with the runs yesterday, I better dial it back a little and just use the eliptical.  I felt kinda like a weenie, so I did go ahead and work out legs. (That’ll teach my left leg to start to go numb a bit… - It funny how certain MS signs/symptoms can just piss me off and get me to work harder.)  I was able to work through it today.  Kept weight a little lighter than normal and kept a bench under me on the squats (which is probably good for ensuring right form as well.)

Did a couple warm up sets of squats with just 135 lbs. 2 sets at 225 at 8 reps. 2 sets at 275 at 6 reps. 

Leg press - 2-45ers on each side: 2 sets at 8 reps; 3-45ers each: 2 at 6 reps; 4-45ers 1 at 6 reps

Leg extension - did 12, 10, 8, 6, 12 reps with increasing weight and then backed off to the weight used for the 8 reps and did the 12.  (Not sure of the weight as it was just numbered…  I could barely walk after, so I guess it was enough weight…)

Dead lift - same sets of reps as above - started with 95 lbs and increased by 20lbs each set.

- finished with the hour of eliptical.  Based on my heartrate monitor, burned just over 900 calories.   (Then had a pizza at lunch - kinda defeated the purpose of that hour!)  Oh well - it was worth it.  White pizza with sundried tomatoes and fresh basil.  Olive oil was dripping half down my arm.    Now I’m feeling guilty, I guess I should go do cardio again… nah…. 

After a couple weeks, I’m back at it.  A combination of Thanksgiving and birthday did me in.  Before I knew it, I was back up to about 198.  I haven’t done measurements or bf% yet, so I’m hoping at least a little of that is muscle… (Yea, I guess I’m hoping for that Christmas miracle crap…)

I had a great run this morning.  Did a 30 minute run with pretty high incline.  I got the Nike+ iPod and am just getting the new iPod all loaded.  It seems pretty cool - and I hope I keep using it, and don’t just put it in the box on my dresser with my heart rate monitor, pedometer, and all my other gadgets…  I still haven’t loaded my profile on their site yet, I’ll have to do that later.

Anyone who has been using it, I’d be interested to hear how you like it and how you use it to improve your runs.

I also worked out chest today - following the basics of MaxOT again.  Good sign that I could just barely push my locker closed this morning - I’m definitely feeling it…  back to work…

I have been in LA all week.  I still haven’t quite recovered from the Thanksgiving splurge.  I’ve been just doing push-ups, pull-ups, and sit-ups in the hotel room this week.  Next week will be more disciplined as I’ll be home.

Back off sugar - so I’m feeling better.

Hit back pretty hard today.  First time I’ve done a full set up pull ups with a weight strapped on!  Doesn’t seem too long ago that I could only do five without any weight. It’s great to feel my back respond - wish I wouldn’t have wasted all this time neglecting the back - kinda kept forgetting it was back there.  I teamed it up with triceps today.  Back to doing the same weight with overhead extensions as I was doing before I ruptured the tricep tendon.  Healing is great!

Also ran three miles.  Loving the new shoes. 

There are a few of us in the neighborhood who are going to get up for an early morning run tomorrow - then we’re doing the annual football game at the church.  We’ll have to see who is still limping on Sunday.  Have a great Thanksgiving!

During the last week, I’ve been in Salt Lake, New York, Asheville, Las Vegas, and finally back to Atlanta.  I’m ready to stay put for the holiday week - and then back out Saturday to Salt Lake.  I keep reminding myself that I moved to Atlanta so I wouldn’t have to travel so much…

Two of the trips kind of popped up - and required red-eye flights, so I didn’t get the full week of MaxOT done like I had planned, but I still ended up hitting each bodypart once with the basic concepts down.  I also ran twice. Today, I ran for about 30 minutes, but I timed myself on one of the miles and did it at 6 mins 23 seconds.  I know that sounds like nothing - but today when I got home from the gym, I was in my basement looking for my balance ball and found my cane.  It really took me back.  I went over a year where I couldn’t get up or even walk across a room without it.  I tell ya, just seeing that again made me very grateful for all the aches (yea, I have a big blister on my foot) and pains that working out gives me.  

I brought it upstairs and put it by my bed.  Any morning I don’t want to get up and hit the gym, I’m going to have to make that decision while looking at that stupid thing - I’m sure it’ll get me up and out.

Just finished the 2nd day workout of Max OT.  I’m definitely feeling it from my leg workout yesterday.  I like the concept, and I have seen it work with me before, I just need to make sure not to make too many changes to the program.  I need to realize that if I have enough steam to push out a few extra reps at the end - I’m not doing enough weight throughout.  I also need to let the rest and recovery happen as well.

Doing well on the diet.  Headed back out west for a quick trip. 

I got in late last night.  Went and ran at the NYSC (pretty convenient - it’s in the hotel) this morning and off to meetings all day, but hopefully will get in a weight sessions later this afternoon.  Also, will hopefully get a little fun in while I’m in the city.

Today was a much better day!  I ran six miles and did great on the diet!  The only time in my life I smoked was when I was 11.  My dad caught me and made me smoke an entire pack and I learned my lesson.  I think I taught myself that same lesson yesterday with downing that much junk food in one day… I think I’ve grossed myself out enough that I won’t being doing that again for a long time! 

Haven’t done any weights this week due to meetings running late - so I’ve just been running, push-ups, and sit-ups.  I head out to New York tomorrow and will hit the gym hard on Saturday morning.

I’ve been so strict with my diet over the last month+(kept eating clean in Paris, did fine in Asia, no problems in San Francisco….) and what do I decide to fall off the wagon for??? Chili Dogs at Wienerschnitzel in Salt Lake…  When I do something - I do it big.  I had eight of them today at lunch (and of course you have to do chili cheese fries (2)…)  It’s amazing how my old habits came right back to me.  I realize there is nothing like the zeal of a repentent sinner - and so I sit here swearing I’m back to doing what I should tomorrow.  I went and ran tonight (they all keep talking about how warm it is here - and I still froze, guess having hair would have come in handy tonight…) and will start back up with the diet.  Even with the run - I know for a fact this was not a calorie defecit day… 

Let’s see what tomorrow brings…  The old me would have blown it like this - and then said what the heck and kept eating like that for weeks (or from 1992 to 2006….) But, I’m not going to let one day derail me this time!

I need some serious encouragement…. I’ll report back tomorrow on how I did (yep, I’m the kinda guy that needs accountability…)

Of course, I’m out traveling again this week.  I’m in Salt Lake for the week and then go directly to New York for the weekend (from one culture shock to another…) I’ve been managing the travel pretty well.  I have been doing tons of running.  Did a 10 mile run in Atlanta on Saturday and then just a short run today in Utah - and the elevation definitely took it out of me - probably just in my head, but I’m feeling it now. 

I weighed in at 175 yesterday. Not really trying to lose any more weight - but it feels good.  Next week, I’m going to start the MaxOT program again.  It just is a little harder to do on the road when the gyms are inconsistent.  The last time I did it faithfully for three months, I put on a couple inches on my chest - so, it’s definitely time to do that.  Would like to hear from people who have followed that program for advice.

Take care!